American History Homework Three Answers - Student Thirteen

1. Identify two weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
The Articles of Confederation had set the approval requirements to high to be useful. 9 out of 13 was the standard for creating new legislation and approval had to be unanimous to amend the Articles of Confederatin. Another weakness was the lack of money. The Articles did not grant the new govenment the power to tax the states; the government could request or borrow money, but had no significant means of income. The lack of funds was a bit of a hinderance to foreign policy as th now country could not afford to raise an army or a navy. The more established countries bullied the United States because the States had no way to defend themselves.

Superb answer. Work on spelling, however: four words are misspelled above ("to", "Confedertin", "govenment" and "hinderance").

2. Identify the first three Articles of the Constitution, and what each Article establishes.
The first article Established the Legislative Branch , Congress, the second article established the Executive Branch, outlining the President's powers,and the third article establishes the Judicial Branch, creating the Supreme Court.

Excellent.

3. Explain what you like most about George Washington.
His attitude towards the presidency. He accepted the position and led th ecountry for as long as he saw fit, which was two terms. He then stepped down when it was time. He did not accept the power that the people would have gladly given him.

Superb again.

4. Describe the most important invention of the 1790s, and its political impact.
The cotton gin was a machine thatseparated cotton from the plant it grows on. It could do 50 times the work one slave could. This invention greatly increased the South's cotton productin and gave them the idea that they were invincible and that the world depended on them.

Good.

5. Explain the political view expressed by this week's cartoon, and which side of what issue the cartoonist likely represents.
The pillars represent the States united under a new constitution.The pillars are in the order that they ratified the Constitution. This cartoon was published in the Massachusetts centinel in January, 1788. This cartoon was part of the Federalists effort to convince Massachusetts to ratify the Constitution.

Excellent.

6. Describe two significant achievements of The Northwest Ordinance.
The Northwest Ordinance laid down guidelines for creating new states as well as protecting the territories from government seizure of property without compensation and protected individual rights.

Superb, a bit more detail would be welcome.

7. Describe what you think was most significant about John Adams' presidency.
I think the most significant action of his presidency was causing the Supreme Court to declare a federal law to be unconstitutional for the first time.

Interesting! Note that the Supreme Court decision came a few years after Adams left office, and the law at issue was passed before Adams came into power, so this is not the best answer for a question about Adams' presidency itself. (Minus 1).

H2. Do you think the Anti-Federalists had some good points? Explain.
I think that they did have a good point in saying that the government would have to much power. Their arguments helped create the Bill of Rights, which was necessary to protect individual rights. The Constitution was what the country needed but it did give the government a lot of power and has a few vague clauses that give the government license to do things that were not intended to be done by the government.

Excellent. Note that it should be "too", not "to", in "to much power."

H3. State your view on any discussion topic or mystery concerning the period 1780-1800
Was it proper for the delegates to go beyond their authority to amend the Articles of Confederation, and instead propose a new constitution?
I think it was fine because nothing could be definite without the states permission. If the states didn't like it they could just send the delegates back to the drawing board.

Right.

H5. Describe the response of Jefferson and Madison to the Alien & Sedition Acts. Do you agree with their approach?
Jefferson and Madison were right nullify" the Alien and Sedition Acts. The Acts violated the First Amendment right of free speech. However, Jefferson and Madison should not have had to claim the states had sovereignity. This step should have been taken by the Supreme Court. The issue of state sovereignity would later spark the Civil war.